Today’s biotech Fruit and Vegetable Production put on the map
Global Production of Biotech Vegetables and Fruits, 2021
The global fruit & vegetable seeds market size is estimated at USD 9.8 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.2% in the forecast period 2021 until 2025. But what will be the contribution of gene edited and genetically modified crops driving this growth? As we enter a new decade, where new technologies such as gene editing are brought to the market, I believe it is important to look back and learn from the past, including successful and less successful introductions of genetically modified vegetable and fruits. The map above shows where currently biotech vegetables and fruits are produced.
Today, there is only one GM horticultural crop widely distributed and made available on grocery shelfs and that is the rainbow papaya. Since the early nineties, the US papaya industry was devastated by the papaya ringspot virus and papaya production dropped by 50 percent. Approved by the FDA in 1998, ringspot-resistant GM papayas now encompass 90 percent of all papayas grown for the US market.
All other approved biotech fruits and vegetables apple have been planted in a handful of countries only, US in the lead, but are sold as a specialty product with limited market share.
Although approved by the FDA already in 1995, genetically modified summer squash is grown at low levels in the U.S. These summer squash are resistant to zucchini yellow mosaic, a virus that disastrously impacts global cucurbits.
Del Monte launches GM pineapple with pink flesh and sweeter flavour is the new kid on the GM fruit block. The rosy pineapple is available for purchase online in its own individual box for $49, a hefty price to pay for one piece of fruit.
The first genetically engineered apple, developed by Okanagan Specialty Fruits Inc. have been modified to keep browning away by suppressing the oxidase enzyme. They were approved both in Canada and US by FDA and CFIA, in 2015. As of late 2017, the patented Arctic varieties began retail sales as pre-sliced, packaged specialty product.
Last but not least, I want to bring up the development of genetically engineered, insect resistant brinjal or eggplant by India-based Maharashtra Hybrid Seed Company, Mahyco, started in 2006. Many controversies surround the development and release of this GM product, beyond the scope of this short blog post. However, it is certainly an important case for our horticultural AgTech community to learn from and consider before investing in novel GM and gene edited traits for our fruit and vegetable markets.
